Hydraulic Clutch Actuator Bypass Flow Limiting for Torque Surge Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch control systems fail to adequately protect the vehicle's kinematic chain from sudden torque surges during clutch re-engagement, especially when the clutch pedal is released rapidly, which can lead to excessive stress and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A clutch control device with an actuator that incorporates a flow limiter in a bypass pipe, allowing fluid to pass through a main pipe for automatic clutch operation and through a bypass for driver-controlled operation, limiting torque peaks by restricting fluid flow back to the transmitter during sudden clutch closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow limiter is integrated into the actuator, then the clutch control system protects against torque surges during sudden pedal release, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow limiter is integrated into the actuator body, merging two separate components (actuator and flow limiter) into a single unified structure. This reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the torque surge protection function, thereby addressing the complexity issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls clutch engagement/disengagement and simultaneously limits torque surges through the integrated flow limiter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated torque limitation devices.
2Reliability
If the actuator includes a bypass with flow restrictor, then the clutch engagement is controlled during sudden pedal release, but the overall size of the clutch control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass channel with flow restrictor is nested within the actuator body, with the flow restrictor integrated into the bypass passage. This nested arrangement allows the torque control function to be embedded within the existing actuator volume rather than adding external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass channel and flow restrictor are combined into the actuator structure, merging the torque control function with the existing hydraulic control pathway, thereby minimizing additional volume requirements.
3Device complexity
If the flow limiter is integrated into the actuator, then the number of components is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is designed as a localized feature within the actuator body, with specific geometric characteristics (such as restricted passage dimensions) that can be precisely controlled during manufacturing. This localized approach allows for focused precision in critical areas while maintaining overall manufacturability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the overall size and cost of the clutch control system while enhancing performance by damping sudden clutch re-engagement, thereby protecting the kinematic chain from excessive torque peaks and improving fuel efficiency through controlled freewheel functions.
Implementation Method 1
limiting torque peaks by restricting fluid flow back to the transmitter during sudden clutch closure
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pressure transmitter, a hydraulic clutch operation receiver, and a control actuator, located in the clutch control circuit between the transmitter and the receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3
AI summary
Clutch control actuator (5) disposed in a vehicle hydraulic clutch control circuit (9), between a pressure transmitter (3) and a hydraulic clutch operation receiver (10), characterized in that it has a main line (12) for passing fluid at constant flow rate, and a bypass line (12a) from the main line, incorporating a flow limiter (11) partially blocking the return fluid passage from the receiver (10) to the transmitter (3), during a sudden closure of the clutch (9).